That’s 11 wins, five losses that Fulmer’s Vols compiled against the Tide while he was coach from 1992-2008. The statistic served as Fulmer's silver bullet Sunday as Vols bumped into Alabama fans at every turn. One of the evening's coordinators, Randy Brothers, even wore a shirt that was half orange, half red.

An unsightly choice of garment? No doubt — fashion faux pas aside, this is SEC country, where orange and red don’t intermingle well.

But at the Volunteers of America’s annual Dinner of Champions, which highlighted the nonprofit's extensive work throughout Tennessee in helping veterans, seniors and adults with developmental disabilities, Brothers’ shirt perfectly captured the spirit of the event.

Fulmer was joined by a slew of football alums from either side of the rivalry — including Antonio Langham, Jake Coker, Al Wilson, Haskel Stanback, Eddie Brown and Bobby Majors — in attracting throngs of fans to the Nashville Airport Marriott. Former players signed autographs, a silent auction was held, and Fulmer served as the event’s keynote speaker — an intriguing choice at that.

“He's probably said a few things in the past that have touched us the wrong way,” Langham said, “but other than that, when you’re doing things for a good cause, you can always put your differences aside for a good cause.”

Langham then offered a disclaimer: The rivalry never truly can go on the backburner.

“We get to boast and brag a little bit more because they go hire an Alabama guy to try to turn it around,” he said with a laugh. “So we really got something we can use against them now."

But Fulmer insisted his hiring of former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as the Vols’ new coach doesn't do much to amplify the rivalry.

“I don’t know if that rivalry can get amplified any more than it has been in its history,” Fulmer said. “Certainly we need to do our part better. They’ve been the best team in the country for most years in the last several and we have not been there, so we’re working to catch up.”

The rivalry came up plenty in conversation Sunday, but it never crossed Fulmer’s mind when he considered serving as the event's keynote speaker.

“I didn’t even think about that when they asked me to do this,” he said. “It’s more about the individuals that you’re helping and the cause that you’re involved with. Now we’ll have some fun with each other. You can’t help that. But the biggest thing is the individuals we’re helping.”